Twellman Family Farms: Carrying the Legacy Forward
By: Karson Calvin
Legacy Rooted in Lincoln County
“We aren’t just farming for the next season, but for the next generation,” says Jeffrey Twellman. He along with his wife Brandelyn are raising the sixth generation on the Twellman Family Farm near Silex, Missouri, in Agri-Ready Designated Lincoln County. Jeffrey and Brandelyn are proud to be carrying the legacy of more than a century of stewardship, hard work, and family dedication forward.
Stewardship with a Long-Term Vision
The Twellman family has farmed the same ground since 1908. Jeffrey and Brandelyn see themselves as temporary caretakers of something bigger than themselves. Every decision they make today is weighed against the impact on those who will farm after them.
“We only have an operation today because of the care the generations before us took for the land. That responsibility isn’t something we take lightly,” Jeffrey shares.
For Brandelyn, marrying into a multi-generational farm brings a deeper appreciation for the intentionality behind every choice.
“Being part of a multigenerational farm teaches you quickly that this is bigger than one family,” Brandelyn adds. That long-term mindset shapes how they farm and what Twellman Family Farms looks like today.
An Operation Rooted in Family
The Twellmans raise corn, soybeans, and beef cattle, while occasionally adding wheat to the mix. They cut hay and chop corn for silage to feed their cattle. They also run cow-calf pairs and sell freezer beef direct to consumer each year. Their remaining calves are then sold as yearlings. Recently, Jeffrey and Brandelyn decided to open “The Farmstand” to offer locally grown produce to members of their community. While their operation continues to evolve, the heart of the farm remains firmly rooted in family.
That sense of family is most visible in the next generation growing up on the farm. Leighton and Charlotte are the sixth generation to grow up on the Twellman Family Farm. When asked why it was important to raise their children on the farm, Brandelyn shares, “Raising our kids on the farm allows us to show them where their food comes from and what it takes to care for something long-term.”
For Jeffrey, it is the simple everyday moments he sees through Leighton’s eyes that make farm life important to him.
“The buzz of ranger rides, checking cows, and running the combine are some of his favorite moments,” Brandelyn adds. Jeffrey and Brandelyn both hope that raising their children on the farm teaches them to appreciate the value of the dollar and good old-fashioned hard work.
Beyond the Farm
Jeffrey and Brandelyn both own their own businesses. Since graduating from the University of Missouri (Columbia), Brandelyn has been self-employed as a freelance ag journalist and writes for several agricultural organizations. Jeffrey recently opened ‘Sitton Branch Ag’: a farmer-to-farmer service to help producers when they face challenges with their equipment.
“I’ve been the first call that gets a farmer back to planting after a breakdown. It’s an honor to play a small role in our community,” Jeffrey says. That service-minded perspective reflects the values of the community that has supported their family.
As an agricultural communicator, Brandelyn is intentional about using storytelling and transparency to help others better understand farm life. She understands the hesitation people feel when asking questions about how farming works because she didn’t grow up in production agriculture herself.
“I always feel the need to start with, ‘This may be a silly question, but…,’” she shares. She recently started an Instagram blog, ‘Rooted by Bran’, and a children’s YouTube channel, ‘Kid Farm’. Brandelyn is utilizing these outlets to put a friendly face behind agriculture as more children are growing up removed from farms.
Growing Community, Grounded in Tradition
Lincoln County remains one of the fastest-growing counties in Missouri. Even so, the small community of Silex remains close-knit and deeply rooted in agriculture.
“Living in a rural farming town creates a sense of support and community,” Brandelyn says. That connection shapes how the Twellmans farm and why giving back feels essential for their family.
Jeffrey and Brandelyn’s goals remain rooted in the same values that brought them this far. Their focus continues to center around family, hard work, and caring for the land entrusted to them. Jeffrey hopes the memories his children create today mirror the ones that shaped his childhood. For Brandelyn, building that connection to agriculture is just as important. Together, they are shaping a future for Twellman Family Farms that honors where they came from while preparing the next generation to carry the legacy forward.
Jeffrey and Brandelyn Twellman are members of the Missouri Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, and Brandelyn serves as Young Farmers Chair on the Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board. Missouri Farm Bureau is a partner of Missouri Farmers Care.